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ANNUAL  REPORT 


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WITH  THE 


MINUTES  OF  THE  ANNIVERSARY, 


HELD  IN  THE  OLIVER-STREET  MEETING-  HOUSE, 


NEW-Y03K,  OCT03EE  17,  1852 


NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED  BY  HOLMAN  &  GRAY,  146  WILLIAM  STREET 
1852. 


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ELEVENTH 

ANNUAL  REPORT 

OF  THE 

NEW-YORK  BAPTIST  FEMALE  BETHEL  UNION, 

WITH  THE 

MINUTES  OF  THE  ANNIVERSARY, 

HELD  IN  THE  OLIVER-STREET  MEETING  HOUSE, 

NEW-YORK,  OCTOBER  17,  1852. 


NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED  BY  HOLMAN  &  GRAY,  146  WILLIAM  STREET, 
1852. 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  N.  Y.  BAPTIST  FEMALE  BETHEL  UNION 


Art.  I.  This  Association  shall  be  known  as  £:  The  New  York  Female 
Baptist  Bethel  Union." 

Art.  II.  The  object  of  this  Union  shall  be  to  aid  in  the  support  of  the 
Gospel  among  seamen  in  this  city,  and  to  cooperate  with  the  First  Baptist 
Mariners'  church  in  its  missionary  operations. 

Art.  III.  Any  person  contributing  annually  to  the  funds  of  the  Society, 
shall  be  a  member  ;  and  any  person  who  shall  pay  at  one  time  a  sum  not 
less  than  ten  dollars,  shall  be  a  member  for  life. 

Art.  IV.  The  officers  of  this  Society  shall  consist  of  a  first  and  second 
Directress,  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  twenty  managers  "who  together  shall 
form  a  Board  for  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  this  Society,  five  of 
whom,  when  regularly  convened,  shall  constitute  a  quorum.  The  Board 
shall  have  power  to  fill  all  vacancies  that  may  occur  in  their  number,  and 
make  their  own  by-laws. 

Art.  5.  The  meetings  of  the  Board  shall  be  held  on  the  second  Wednes- 
day in  each  month.  The  annual  meeting  to  be  held  in  the  month  of 
October,  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  Board  may  appoint,  when  a  report 
shall  be  presented  from  the  Treasurer  and  Secretary. 

Art.  VI.  The  election  of  officers  shall  be  made  at  the  first  regular 
monthly  meeting  of  the  Board  subsequent  to  the  annual  meeting. 

Art.  VII.  No  alteration  shall  be  made  in  this  Constitution,  except  at 
an  annual  meeting,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 


First  Directress,  - 
Second  Directress, 
Treasurer.  - 
Secretary, 


First  Church. 
Mrs.  Run  von, 
"  Rhodes, 
«    Eli  Kelley, 
"    T.  Thomas. 

Berean  Church. 
Mrs.  Ulyatt, 
"  Forman. 

Macdougal  Street. 

Mrs.  Shaler, 
"  Irwin, 
Miss  Stewart. 

Mariners'  Church. 
Mrs.  Forrester, 
"  Avery, 
«  Allen. 


OFFICERS. 

MRS. 
-  MRS. 
MRS. 
-  •    -  MRS. 

MANAGERS. 
Oliver  Street. 
Mrs.  Francis, 

<;  Tripp, 
Miss  "Williamson. 

Sixteenth  Street. 

Mrs.  Brush, 
«  M'Bride. 

Stanton  Street. 

Mrs.  Sibell, 
w  Mangum. 

Brooklyn. 

Miss  Williamson. 

Newark. 

Miss  Norris. 


C.  H.  PUTNAM. 

TRIPP. 

PHELPS. 

E.  P.  SMITH. 


Norfolk  Street. 


Tabernacle. 


Laight  Street. 


South  Church. 


ELEVENTH  ANNIVERSARY 


OF  THE 

N.  Y.  BAPTIST  FEMALE  BETHEL  UNION. 


The  Eleventh  Anniversary  Meeting  of  the  N.  Y.  Baptist  Female  Bethel 
Union  was  held  in  the  Oliver  Street  meeting-house  on  Lord's-day  evening, 
Oct.  17,  1852.  A  large  and  respectable  audience  were  early  assembled, 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Magoon,  pastor  of  the  church,  Rev.  Ira  R.  Steward,  Chap- 
lain of  the  First  Baptist  Mariners'  church,  and  the  Rev.  Anders  Wiberg, 
from  Sweden,  were  in  the  pulpit. 

The  exercises  were  introduced  by  Rev.  Mr.  Magoon,  who  read  the  hymn 
called  Prayer  for  Seamen"  which  was  sung  by  the  choir.  After  prayer 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Steward,  "  The  Star  of  Bethlehem"  was  sung.  Mr.  Steward 
then  remarked  that,  as  notice  had  been  given  he  would  preach,  he  should 
at  least  take  a  text,  and  the  audience  might  give  what  name  they  pleased  to 
any  thing  he  might  say.  He  then  read  the  last  clause  of  Rom.  16  :  2,  "  for 
she  hath  been  a  succorer  of  many  and  of  myself  also."  Mr.  S.  observed, 
he  should  not,  on  this  occasion,  treat  these  words,  as  originally  applied,  to 
the  matron  of  whom  the  apo  tie  was  speaking  ;  but  he  should  apply  them 
to  a  matron  of  the  present  day,  known  to  this  community  by  the  name  of  the 
N.  Y.  Baptist  Female  Bethel  Union.  Of  this  "  servant  of  the  church,"  he  could 
truly  say, *he  hath  been  a  succorer  of  many  and  of  myself  also."  From 
the  commencement  of  his  labors  among  seamen  in  New  York,  this  Society 
had  been  one  of  his  chief  sources  of  encouragement  and  most  efficient  aid  : — 
in  proof  of  which  he  would,  previous  to  his  own  remarks,  read  their 

ANNUAL  REPORT. 

The  friends  and  patrons  of  the  Sailor's  cause  are  doubtless  expecting  from 
us  the  usual  annual  report  of  its  progress  and  success.  We  are  happy  to 
meet  you  upon  this,  our  eleventh  anniversary,  under  circumstances  so  en- 
couraging ;  and  we  confidently  believe,  that  the  present  interview,  will  not 
only  recall  a  grateful  sense  of  past  mercies,  but  stimulate  to  greater  zeal  and 
energy  for  the  future.    You  will  see  that  the  field  of  labor  is  opening  and 

3 


4 


ELEVENTH  ANNUAL  RBPOBT. 


enlarging  before  us  ;  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  is  supplying  new  work  for 
our  hands,  and  new  encouragement  for  our  hearts  ;  and  unless  you  are  pre- 
pared to  shrink  from  the  responsibilities  which  you  have  hitherto  so  faithful- 
ly met,  your  efforts  for  the  ensuing  year  will  be  proportionate  to  the  increas- 
ed demand  upon  them. 

As  you  will,  upon  this  occasion,  hear  from  our  Chaplain,  all  that  imme- 
diately concerns  the  cause  in  Cherry-st,  we  shall  only  call  your  attention  to 
the  fact,  that  the  li  little  one,"  which  you  so  kindly  fostered  in  its  feeble 
infancy,  has  now  grown, — if  not  to  a  vigorous  manhood, — yet  certainly  to 
circumstances  of  greater  responsibility,  and  larger  demands  upon  your  pater- 
nal care.  Its  peculiar  features  are  now  more  fully  developed,  and  its  charac- 
ter better  defined,  and  it  is  already  breaking  "  forth  on  the  right  hand  and 
on  the  left."  Its  branches  are  taking  root  in  distant  lands. — in  soils,  which 
as  yet,  yield  no  nourishment  to  sustain  them,  and  they  are  turning  to  you 
for  help  and  succor. 

The  .Mariner's  church,  though  itself  dependant  upon  the  benevolence  tJf 
sister  churches,  has  for  three  years  past,  in  connection  with  the  Female 
Bethel  Union,  aided  a  Colporteur  in  Sweden,  and  sustained  a  missionary  in 
Denmark.  It  will  be  remembered  that,  in  Oct.  1849,  this  Society,  at  its 
public  anniversary  in  Broome-st..  unanimously  agreed  to  sustain  brother 
Frederick  L.  Ilenrickson  as  its  missionary  in  the  last  named  country.  Since 
that  time  your  Board  of  Managers  has  continued  to  receive  from  brother 
Ilenrickson  a  regular  quarterly  report  of  his  labors,  success  and  prospects 
among  that  people.  From  these  reports  it  is  evident  that  you  have  no  rea- 
son to  regret  this  appointment.  The  Lord  has  graciously  owned  and  bless- 
ed our  brother  in  preaching  the  Gospel  to  his  countrymen.  Several  of  them 
have  been  converted, — some  from  a  state  of  nature. — and  others  from  the 
errors  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

"When  we  consider  the  circumstances  under  which  brother  Ilenrickson 
went  out, — a  poor  sailor,  without  education,  suffering  under  the  physical 
evil  of  lameness,  and  destitute  of  influence  or  support,  other  than  the  small 
sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  annually,  which  you  allowed  him, — there  can 
be  no  question,  that  an)'  measure  of  success  which  has  attended  his  labors, 
must  be  all  of  God.  lie  first  preached  in  his  native  village  of  Stige,  but 
circumstances  occurred  during  the  last  year,  which  encouraged  him  to  enlarge 
the  field  of  his  usefulness  by  removiRg  to  Odense,  the  second  city  in  size 
and  importance  in  the  kingdom.  At  the  commencement  of  the  year,  he  had 
written  and  published  a  tract  of  SO  pages,  in  reply  to  the  false  statements 
of  the  Lutheran  priests,  who  being  roused  to  enmity  and  opposition,  by  the 
preaching  of  truth  among  their  people,  had  set  themselves  to  abuse  and  vili- 
fy the  Baptists.  This  tract  was  circulated  in  Odense,  Copenhagen  and  other 
places,  and  has  been  alreadv  blessed  in  enlightening  many,  who  were  before 
in  error.  One  of  these  was  a  serjeant  of  Dragoons  in  Odense,  who  came  to 
brother  Henrickson  in  tears,  to  ask  what  he  should  do  to  be  saved.  This 
man  has  since  been  baptized.  It  was  soon  evident  that  there  were  several 
pious  persons  in  the  State  Church,  who  had  become  dissatisfied  with  their 
standing,  and  were  ready  to  hear  and  embrace  the  truth ;  and  brother  H. 
commenced  to  hold  meetings  alternately  in  Stige  and  Odense.  At  this  crisis 
he  had  contemplated  a  visit  to  America,  to  obtain  ordination ;  but  being 
doubtful  whether  he  ought  to  leave,  in  such  a  state  of  things,  he  requested 
advice  of  brethren  Foster  and  Nelson,  who  thought  it  his  duty  to  remain  in 
Odense.  Not  being  able  to  obtain  a  suitable  place  to  hold  meetings,  he  saw 
no  other  way  than  to  build  one  ;  and  wrote  to  Mr.  Steward  to  know  if  he 
could  expect  any  aid  from  New  York,  should  he  attempt  to  do  so.  Mr.  Ste- 


N.  Y.  BAPTIST  FEMALE  BETHEL  UNION. 


s 


ward  did  not  think  proper  to  give  him  any  encouragement,  and  he  finally- 
obtained  help  from  friends  in  Denmark  to  carry  forward  his  building.  It  is 
now  finished ; — a  two  story  brick  house,  twenty-eight  feet  square.  His 
family  are  accommodated  in  the  lower  story,  and  the  upper  story  is  used  for 
meetings. 

On  the  25  th  of  April,  1852,  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  the  city  of 
Odense,  was  organized — consisting  of  six  persons — three  brethren  and  three 
sisters.  Brother  Kobner,  the  associate  laborer  with  brother  Oncken  in 
Hamburg,  and  others  from  Copenhagen,  were  present  upon  this  interesting 
occasion,  and  gave  the  hand  of  fellowship  to  the  new  church.  On  the  same 
day  they  unanimously  elected  brother  Henrickson  for  their  pastor,  and  on 
the  May  following  he  was  ordained  by  the  Baptist  Association,  meeting  in 
Copenhagen.  In  speaking  of  the  organization  of  the  church,  brother  H. 
says, — "  There  were  two  other  converts  present,  who  have  not  yet  given 
themselves  to  us ;  and  three  more  that  I  hope  are  converted  and  love  us  and 
the  Word  of  God ; — rejoice  with  us,  and  praise  the  Lord  for  his  wouderful 
goodness  to  us  poor  sinners."  In  his  last  letter,  he  says — "  Last  Lord's-dary 
we  consecrated  the  waters  of  Odense  by  baptizing  in  them,  a  convert  which 
the  Lord  has  given  us  since  the  organization  of  the  church. — a  man  of  fifty 
years  of  age,  and  the  head  of  a  family.  His  wife  seems  to  be  with  us  in 
heart.  It  was  a  joyful  season.  "We  met  in  a  small  summer-house  near  the 
water — and  sang  hymns  of  praise  to  God." 

As  soon  as  this  state  of  things  in  Denmark  was  made  known  to  your 
Board,  and  they  became  acquainted  with  the  fact,  that  the  First  American 
Baptist  Mission  Church  in  that  kingdom,  had,  in  the  Providence  of  God, 
been  cast  upon  them  for  support ; — they  promptly  and  unanimously  voted 
another  hundred  dollars  a  year  to  brother  Henrickson. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  our  sisters  to  know,  that  brother  H.  has  been 
married  during  the  past  year,  and  that  his  wife  was  the  frst  convert  under 
his  preaching  in  Denmark. 

And  now,  we  would  say  to  the  friends  and  patrons  of  this  Society,  that 
we  are  fully  persuaded,  they  could  not  have  listened  to  this  history  of  the 
results  of  their  past  labors,  without  feeling  their  hearts  enlarged,  and  their 
hands  strengthened  for  any  further  effort  which  the  cause  of  God  may 
demand.  He  gives  us  no  permission  to  rest  satisfied  with  what  has  been 
done,  or,  even  to  continue  in  the  same  well  doing,  but  calls  upon  us  to 
abound  in  it,  more  and  more.  Permit  us  then  to  lay  before  you  the  oppor- 
tunity. 

The  Mariner's  church  in  Cherry-st.. — formed  at  your  instigation, — and 
sustained  in  part  by  your  aid.  are  greatly  needing  the  labors  of  an  able  and 
efficient  Colporteur  in  the  city  of  New  York.  From  the  nature  of  their 
enterprize,  it  is  absolutely  requisite  to  the  securing  of  any  extensive  good, 
that  seamen,  and  especially  foreign  seamen,  and  strangers,  should  besought 
out,  instructed,  and  brought  to  the  house  of  God, — otherwise  their  excellent 
and  commodious  chapel,  has,  as  far  as  such  are  concerned,  been  built  in 
vain — and  in  vain  does  our  brother  Steward  preach  from  Sabbath  to  Sab- 
bath the  words  of  eternal  life.  While  the  church  were  anxiously  hoping 
and  looking  to  have  this  thing  accomplished — the  Lord  has  brought  to  their 
very  door,  a  man  every  way  qualified  for  the  work.  A  Swedish  emigrant 
ship  arrived  about  four  weeks  ago,  bringing  three  persons,  two  brethren  and 
one  sister,  who  were  obliged  by  oppression  and  persecution  in  their  native 
land,  to  leave,  and  seek  refuge  in  this  country.  One  of  the  brethren,  with 
the  sister,  who  is  his  wife,  were  members  of  Frederick  0.  Nelson's  church  in 
Sweden,  and  bring  letters  from  him  to  the  Mariner's  church  in  Cherry-st. 


6 


ELEVENTH    ANNUAL  REPORT. 


The  other  brother,  who  will  be  presented  to  you  this  evening,  was  formerly 
a  priest  in  the  State  church  of  Sweden.  You  will  hear  from  himself  why 
he  left  that  church,  and  how  the  Lord  has  led  his  mind  to  embrace  the 
Baptist  faith.  He  also  brings  letters  from  brother  Oncken  and  brother 
Nelson  warmly  commending  him  to  the  kindness  and  fellowship  of  Ameri- 
can Baptists.  We  would  only  add,  that  it  is  the  wish  of  this  brother  to 
remain  in  New  York  during  the  winter,  in  the  hope  that  the  Lord  will  open 
the  way  for  him  to  return  to  Sweden  in  the  spring,  as  an  ordained  Baptist 
minister.  In  the  meantime  he  is  without  pecuniary  resources,  and  wishes 
to  sustain  himself  by  means  of  some  employment  in  the  Lord's  vineyard. 
He  has  expressed  a  desire  to  be  a  Colporteur — the  Mariner's  church  wish 
to  employ  him  in  that  work.  He  is  familiar  with  the  German  and  other 
languages  of  the  North  of  Europe,  which  gives  him  a  great  advantage  in  this 
mixed  comrnunit}'.  Sisters  of  the  Bethel  Union,  we  ask  if  you  are  willing 
to  bear  with  them  the  burden  of  sustaining  this  brother — provided,  a  method 
can  be  devised,  by  which  it  may  be  done  without  an  actual  increase  oj  means, 
but  simply  by  a  different  direction  of  them  ? 

We  take  it  for  granted,  that  by  this  time,  all  are  satisfied  that  the  Bap*. 
Mar.  Church  in  Cherry -st..  is  decidedly  a  missionary  field  of  labor.  If  such 
a  feature  was  not  contemplated  in  its  Vir^t  organization  it  has  assuredly,  in 
the  providence  of  God,  attained  to  this  character.  Why  then,  not  allow  it 
a  place  in  the  missionary  operations  of  the  churches  ?  We  are  aware  that 
there  is  an  appropriation  to  this  cause,  by  the  New  York  State  Convention, 
but  why  should  not  the  churches  themselves,  assign  to  it,  such  a  portion  of 
their  bounty  as  the}'  deem  right  and  proper  ?  One  of  our  city  churches,  has 
done  this  ; — and  for  five  years,  has  made  an  appropriation  from  their  Female 
Home  Mission  fund,  of  one  hundred  dollars,  to  our  Missionary  Station  in 
Cherry-st.  If  others  would  do  the  same,  how  easily  could  thjy  carry  on 
their  operations. 

The  method  we  wish  to  propose,  to  meet  the  calls  of  the  ensuing  year,  in 
carrying  forward  the  Mission  in  Denmark, — and  in  sustaining  the  Colpor- 
teur in  Sweden,  and  the  Colporteur  in  this  city. — is  this.  Let  each  of  the 
managers  of  this  Bethel  Union,  who  are  all  doubtless  connected  with  the 
Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Societies  in  their  respective  churches,  use 
their  influence  with  these  Societies  to  procure  an  assignment  of  at  ]e&st  fifty 
dollars  annually,  m  the  objects  above  named.  The  sum  of  Jive  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars,  is  all  that  would  be  required  for  the  whole.  This  is  ask- 
ing no  more  than  is  done  by  the  Baptists  of  neighboring  churches  out  of  the 
city.  The  Female  Union  has  received  more  than  fifty  dollars  annually,  for 
this  cause,  for  four  or  five  years,  from  the  churches  in  Newark  ;  and  one  of 
our  managers  collects  more  than  an  hundred  dollars  yearly  from  the  churches 
in  Brooklyn, — not  indeed  as  an  act  of  the  church,  or  Missionary  Society, 
but  from  individual  members. 

We  cannot  but  hope  and  believe  that  this  measure  will  be  cordially  adopt- 
ed ; — and,  should  the  Lord  spare  us  to  see  another  anniversary, — that  we 
shall  be  called  to  report  its  complete  success. 

C.  H.  Putnam,  First  Directress. 
E.  P.  Smith.  Secretary. 


N.  Y.  BAPTIST  FEMALE  PETHEL  UNION. 


7 


TREASURER'S  REPORT. 

As  we  have  spoken  of  sustaining  Churches,  Missionaries,  &c,  some  may 
be  led  to  infer  that  our  Treasurer's  Report  must  annually  show  a  footing  of 
thousands  !  Happily  for  us,  our  operations  require  no  expensive  machinery 
to  carry  them  forward :  if  anything  has  been  accomplished,  it  is  by  the 
simplest  means  and  smallest  possible  expense. 

From  the  first  step  which  was  put  forth  by  the  Society,  when,  eleven 
years  ago,  in  all  your  weakness  and  poverty,  with  not  an  hundred  dollars  in 
your  treasury,  and  no  prospect  of  aid  or  countenance  from  any  quarter, — 
no  hope  but  in  God,  and  in  the  word  of  his  grace,  which  says, 
"  commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord ;  trust  also  in  him  and  he  will  bring  it 
to  pass ;" — you  ventured  to  hazard  the  charge  of  folly  and  presumption,  by 
opening  a  room — hiring  a  chaplain — and  pledging  yourselves  to  "  sustain  a 
preached  gospel  among  seamen;"  from  this  period  of  anxious  experiment 
and  trembling  hope,  to  the  present  moment  of  grateful  confidence  and  suc- 
cess,— you  have  cheerfully  and  patiently  pursued  the  same  course  of  weak- 
ness and  dependence. 

Your  annual  receipts  have  never  much  exceeded  $500,  and  they  often  fall 
short  of  that  sum.  The  money  is  collected  by  your  Managers,  chiefly  among 
the  members  of  their  respective  churches.  You  are  indebted  also  to  the 
friends  in  Brooklyn  and  in  Newark  for  very  liberal  contributions. 

When  the  smallness  of  the  individual  subscriptions  are  considered,  it  will 
be  evident  that  the  Society  owes  much  to  the  untiring  efforts  of  its  mana- 
gers. 

Since  our  first  organizations,  they  have  paid  into  the  treasury  $6012.00. 
of  which  $2040.25  has  been  collected  for  erecting  the  Chapel,  and  the  re- 
mainder, $3965.75  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  at  the  Mariners'  Chapel,  and 
in  Denmark. 

Of  this  sum,  the  amounts  collected  by  your  Managers  in  the  several 
churches  are  as  follows3  viz  : 


FIRST  CHURCH. 

From  June,  1841,  to  October,  1852. 

Chiefly  by  Mrs.  Cooper  and  Mrs.  Runyon,    -  $393  30 

For  Building  Chapel,  by  Mrs.  Runyon,   420  00 

c:                     by  Mrs.  Eli  Kelley,      +    *-      -      -  120  00 

Collection  at  Anniversary  at  the  church,    -      -      -      -      -  72  50 

Donations  from  Female  Home  Miss.  Soc,  by  Mrs.  Runyon,    -  520  00 

Donation  from  ladies  of  First  ch..  per  Mrs.  Runyon,  -      -       -  50  00 

From  Piscataway,  by  Mrs.  Runyon,   100  62 

"    New  Brunswick,         "        -      -      -      -  *     -      -  30  50 

$1706  92 


OLIVER  STREET. 

Collected  by  Managers — chiefly  by  Mrs.  Tripp  and  Mrs.  Francis,  $513  29 

Collection  at  first  Anniversary  in  Oliver  street,        -      -      -  20  00 

"          second  do.                  "  -      -      -      -       -  125  00 

"         third  do.                   «   38  07 


$696  36 


I  ELEVENTH  ANNUAL  REPORT. 

STANTON  STREET. 
Collected  by  Managers — chiefly  by  Mrs.  Gray,  Mrs.  Sibell.  and 


Mrs.  Mangum,  --------      $300  50 

Collection  at  Anniversary  in  the  church,  •      -      -      -       -      33  18 

$423  08 

BEREAN  CHURCH.   

Collected  by  Managers — chiefly  by  Miss  Chapel,  Mrs.  Ulyat  and 

Mrs.  Forman,  $159  75 

Collection  at  Anniversary  in  the  church,  -       -       -      -       -       46  50 

$206  25 

MACDOUGAL  STREET.   

Collected  by  Managers — chiefly  by  Mrs.  and  Miss  Stewart,  Mrs. 

Shaler  and  Mrs.  Irwin,  $133  50 

SIXTEENTH  STREET.  " 
Collected  by  Managers— chiefly  by  Mrs.  Brush  and  Mrs.  McBride,  $147  03 
Collection  at  Anniversary  in  the  church,    -       -       -       -       -       34  00 

$181  03 

NORFOLK  STREET.   

Collected  by  Managers — chiefly  by  Mrs.  Elgreen,  -  -  $28  49 
Collection  at  Anniversary  in  the  ehurch,  -       -       -      -      -       66  76 


$95  25 

TABERNACLE  CHURCH.   

Collected  by  Managers — chiefly  by  Mrs.W.  Colgate  and  Mrs.  Reimer,  $55  50 


HOPE  CHAPEL. 
Collection  at  Anniversary,    -------        $30  00 

Donation  from  Cold  Spring  Temperance  Soc,  by  Mrs.  Bellamy,       17  30 


$47  .30 

BROOKLYN  CHURCHES.   

From  the  Bethel  Society,  by  Mrs.  Lewis,     -  $72  50 

Collected  by  Miss  Williamson,  -------     454  00 


$526  50 

NEWARK  CHURCHES.   

Collected  by  Miss  Sarah  Norris,  $270  90 


FIRST  BAPTIST  MARINERS'  CHURCH. 
Collected  for  Building  the  Chapel— chiefly  by  Mrs.  C.  H.  Putnam,  $1356  25 
By  Managers — Mrs.  Middleton,  Mrs.  Avery,  and  Mrs.  Forrester,      296  69 
Collection  at  Anniversary  in  the  chapel,    -       -      -      -      -       15  87 


$1668  81 

Whole  Total,  -  $6012  00 

After  reading  the  Report,  a  collection  was  taken  up  amounting  to  $38.07. 


N.  V.  BAPTIST  FEMALE  BETHEL  UNION. 


9 


Mr.  Steward  said  he  felt  it  his  privilege  to  both  move  and  second,  the 
acceptance  of  this  report  j  and  also  to  express  his  most  sanguine  belief  that 
the  plan  which  it  had  suggested  for  strengthening  and  enlarging  the  opera- 
tions of  the  Society  will  be  promptly  met.  and  fully  carried  out  in  the  ensu- 
ing year.  He  then  added,  that  as  the  audience  had  been  referred  to  him,  as 
pastor  of  the  church,  for  further  information  upon  its  present  circumstances 
and  position,  he  would  read  a  copy  of  a  letter  to  their  agent  in  Maine,  who 
requested  such  a  statement  as  he  could  present  to  the  churches  in  that  quar- 
ter.   This  letter  was  as  follows : — 

Dear  Bro.  Stockbridge, — I  am  happy  to  have  the  privilege  of  answer- 
ing the  enquiries  in  your  last  in  relation  to  our  operations,  as  it  is  our  desire 
that  correct  information  relative  to  our  enterprise  may  go  forth  into  all  the 
world. 

1.  Our  building  lot  is  76£  feet  wide  by  100  deep,  and  cost  $11,000. 

2.  Our  Chapel,  including  projection  of  tower  and  rooms  in  the  rear,  is  95 
feet  deep  by  60  wide.  It  is  built  of  brick  in  a  plain  substantial  manner,  with 
a  plain  iron  fence  in  front.  Under  the  whole  building  is  a  cellar  which  we 
rent  for  $300  a  year.  On  the  first  floor  after  passing  the  vestibule,  is  a  Lec- 
ture Room  60  feet  by  35.  In  rear  of  this  is  a  Mariners'  Library  and  Read- 
ing Room  about  18  by  25  feet ;  also,  two  large  and  two  small  but  comfortable 
rooms  occupied  by  the  Sexton,  the  rent  of  which  pays  his  salary.  There  is 
also  a  spare  room  to  be  occupied  by  our  sailor  friends  when  sick  and  unable 
to  provide  for  themselves.  On  the  second  floor  is  the  main  audience  room, 
which  will  seat  above  and  below  1000  persons. 

In  rear  of  the  pulpit  are  two  Committee  or  dressing  rooms  connected  with 
the  baptistery  ;  also  a  room  in  the  tower,  in  rear  of  the  gallery  for  the  Infant 
School. 

The  audience  room  is  finished  in  a  very  plain  manner,  and  yet  the  syme- 
try  is  such  that  many  call  it  a  beautiful  house,  by  which  they  evidently  mean, 
beautiful  in  its  simplicity. 

3.  The  whole  cost  including  fixtures  and  furniture  of  every  description, 
about  $1 5,0.00,  making  with  lot  about  $27,000. 

1.  Of  this  sum  we  have  raised  besides  paying  the  interest  and  all  our  ex- 
penses a  little  over  $22,000,  (since  $1000  more)  as  follows  : 

In  Conn.,  $2000 ;  R.  J.  $300 ;  Mass.  $150 ;  the  rest  of  New  England 
$50  ;  New  Jersey  $1500  ;  Penn.  $300,  and  all  the  rest  of  the  States,  west 
and  South  $200  ;  making  $9,500,  leaving  a  balance  raised  in  New  York  of 
over  $17,500,  or  over  four-fifths  of  the  whole.  Of  this  about  $5,500  has 
been  contributed  by  other  denominations,  or  about  one  quarter  of  the  whole. 

Of  large  sums  among  Baptists — one  has  given  $1,500  ;  another  a  legacy 
of  $1,000  ;  two  $400  each ;  three  $300  each ;  six  from  $200  to  $250  each, 
and  a  large  number,  (exceeding  sixty)  $100  each.  One  Congregationalist 
$300,  and  several  others  $100  each.  Three  Unitarians  $100  each.  Several 
Presbyterians,  Dutch  Reformed,  Episcopalians.  Methodists,  and  Quakers  or 
Friends,  $100' each.  One  Roman  Catholic,  $50.  More  than  $4,000  has 
been  contributed  in  the  Bethel  by  the  pastor  and  his  congregation,  which  is 
a  large  sum  for  them,  considering  that  they  are  so  poor  that  the  pastor 
stands  No.  5  in  point  of  property,  and  he  is  not  worth  a  $1000.  Yet  for 
five  years,  notwithstanding  their  poverty,  the  church  and  congregation  have 
averaged  over  $300  a  year,  raised  for  benevolent  objects.  More  than 
$10,000  has  been  contributed  under  a  pledge  by  the  pastor,  that  he  would 
not  leave  off  begging,  as  it  is  called,  until  the  whole  debt  is  cancelled, 


LO 


ELEVENTH  ANNUAL  REPORT. 


5.  The  Church  was  organized  a  little  more  than  eight  years  ago,  with  13 
m  -mbers  ;  has  had  l'JO  added  since,  10]  of  whom  were  by  baptism.  Of  the 
whole  number,  72  were  sailors,  of  which  some  over  40  are  going  to  sea. 
Some  18  have  become  masters  and  oflicirs  of  vessels.  Three  members,  two 
of  them  sailors,  have  been  licensed  to  preach. 

6.  The  Church  is  composed  of  16  or  17  distinct  nations :  namely,  English, 
Irish,  Scotch.  Welch.  French,  Dutch,  Prussians,  Greeks,  Swedes,  Danes. 
Norwegians,  Fins,  Africans,  Americans,  and  two  or  three  German  nations, 
I  cannot  tell  exactly  which,  as  they  are  away  from  home. 

7.  We  have  not  kept  any  account  of  the  number  that  have  been  converted 
through  our  sailor  missionaries  abroad,  as  I  wish  we  had,  but  it  has  been 
understood  all  through  our  history,  that  the  number  has  been  greater  than 
the  number  that  have  united  with  the  Church,  so  that  it  is  a  common  ex- 
pression, that  ';  we  have  more  grand-children  than  children." 

8.  As  all  our  sailors  have  a  regular  commission  as  missionaries,  thvy  go 
right  to  work  wherever  they  are,  getting  up  Sabbath-schools,  prayer-meet- 
ings, and  trying  to  sustain  the  cause  in  some  way  or  other.  They  are 
required  in  their  commission  to  send  us  written  Reports  as  often  as  fchey 
can,  of  which  we  receive  some  200  in  trie  course  of  the  year,  and  from  which 
we  have  learned  of  their  establishing  Sunday-schools  and  prayer-meetings  in 
Nova-Scotia,  Canada.  Michigan.  Illinois.  New  Orleans  and  California.  One  has 
nearly  built  a  Meeting-house  in  Florida,  at  least  it  has  been  done  entirely 
through  his  influence.  We  have  four  children,  as  I  may  call  them,  in  South 
America,  which  is  all  the  Baptist  influence  J  know  of  in  that  dark  land  of 
Romanism.  One  of  our  sailors,  a  few  years  since,  unfurled  the  Baptist 
banner  in  Sweden,  the  result  of  which  is,  they  now  number  between  50  and 
00  Baptists  of  the  true  Jerusalem  blade,  that  can  stand  tines,  imprisonment 
and  banishment  without  flinching. 

We  also  have  one  sailor  missionary  in  Denmark,  who  has  succeeded  in 
planting  the  Baptist  Standard  in  the  city  of  Odensa.  the  second  city  in  the 
kingdom,  where  a  little  church  has  been  organized,  and  he  ordained  as  their 
pastor.  Some  of  our  sailors  have  spent  considerable  time  in  Cuba  and  South 
America,  distributing  books  snd  tracts,  entirely  unmolested  by  people  or 
priest. 

9.  In  our  congregation  we  have  a  new  company  of  seamen  every  Lord's- 
day  the  year  round,  which  varies  in  number  from  20  or  30  to  70  or  80, 
which  amounts  to  several  thousand  in  the  course  of  a  year,  who  hear  with 
great  attention  the  glorious  "  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God." 

I  would  say,  however,  in  closing,  that  the  influence  and  importance  of 
such  an  interest  as  this,  can  never  be  fully  understood  or  appreciated,  until 
that  great  day  when  "  the  sea  shall  give  up  the  dead  that  are  in  it,"  and  the 
assembled  world  shall  meet  before  the    Great  AVhite  Throne." 

Thus,  dear  brother,  I  have  endeavored  to  answer  your  enquiries  as  cor- 
rectly as  I  could,  with  the  facilities  I  have  at  hand.  In  a  few  things,  you 
see  the  statement  is  not  exactly  definite,  but  they  vary  but  very  little  from 
mathematical  exactness,  and  all  are  within  the  bounds  of  truth. 

That  you  may  make  a  profitable  use  of  these  items  of  information,  is  the 
prayer  of  Yours,  affectionately, 

Ira  R.  Steward. 

After  reading  the  above.  Mr.  Steward  remarked  that  it  would  be  seen  by 
this  statement,  he  was  pledged  to  his  subscribers,  not  to  cease  begging  until 
the  entire  debt  was  cancelled.    His  brethren  must  therefore  bear  with  him. 


N.  Y.  BAPTIST  FEMALE  BETHEL  UNION. 


11 


for  as  an  honest  man  he  could  not  do  otherwise  than  beg  till  this  was  accom- 
plished ;  and  then,  he  would  hold  a  most  joyful  anniversary. 

Mr.  Steward  then  introduced  to  the  audience,  the  Rev.  Anders  Wiberg, 
by  reading  the  following 

LETTER  OF  FREDERICK  0.  NELSON. 

Copenhagen,  July  24, 1852. 

Mr.  Ira  R.  Steward, 

Reo.and  honored  Sir : — The  Lord  has  wonderfully  ordered,  in  his  holy 
providence,  that  brother  A.  Wiberg,  the  bearer  of  this,  was  detained  here 
over  yesterday ;  consequently  he  asked  for.  and  it  was  made  my  unspeak- 
ably honorable  duty — even  me  the  sinner,  the  worm,  the  banished  sailor — 
to  immerse  him  (brother  Wiberg,)  into  Christ's  death  in  the  holy  ordinance 
of  baptism ;  which  was  done  in  the  Baltic  Sea,  near  to  Copenhagen,  last 
night  at  eleven  o'clock. 

The  ways  of  Jehovah  are  past  finding  out !  Let  us  worship  in  the  dust. 
Let  me  tell  you,  sir,  and  through  you,  may  it  be  told  to  all  American  Bap- 
tists, that  brother  Wiberg  is  known  very  extensively  within  Sweden,  among 
the  professors  of  piety,  as  a  very  eminent,  exemplary,  and  evangelical  Chris- 
tian. He  has  been  turned  away  from  his  office  and  living  as  minister  of  the 
State-church  of  Sweden,  for  the  same  reason  why  unworthy  /  have  been 
banished  the  country  namely,  for  his  baptist  sentiments.  He  burns  with 
holy  desire  to  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  proclaiming  the  truth  through  the 
length  and  breadth  of  Sweden,  his  beloved  father-land,  in  spite  of  all  oppo- 
sition and  threatening  prospects.  But,  brethren,  he  comes  to  see  if  American 
.Christians  will  not,  and  cannot  take  him  up,  and  employ  him  as  a  mission- 
ary to  Sweden  ?  What  will  you  do,  brethren?  God  sends  him  to  you. 
He  has  awakened  him  and  raised  him  up  for  that  purpose  ;  this  is  evident. 
Then  it  is  plain, — here  you  have  the  honored  and  happy  privilege  of  doing 
something  for  Sweden,  Norway,  and  Denmark.  Come  forward  then, 
honored  American  Baptists,  and  do  your  duty.  The  Mormons  send  us 
dozens  of  their  false  apostles  : — shall  not  the  many  thousands  of  American 
Baptists  be  willing  and  able  to  send  one  single  missionary?  What,  if  he 
should  share  the  fate  of  this  poor  creature  ? — I  mean,  to  be  banished,  (which, 
after  all,  is  not  at  all  likely,)  he  has  Norway  and  Denmark  open  before 
him. 

Dear  brother  Steward,  do  all  you  can  for  him  to  help  him,  and  recom- 
mend him  to  our  brethren  and  to  this  purpose.  He  is  himself  very  humble 
and  modest,  as  you  will  soon  see ;  but  I  doubt  not  you  will  rejoice  in  having 
made  his  acquaintance.    Yours  in  Christ  Jesus, 

J.  0.  Nelson. 


REV.  A.  WIBERG'S  ADDRESS. 

I  was  born  in  the  northern  part  of  Sweden,  very  near  a  little  town  named 
Hudiksvall,  on  the  17th  of  July,  1816.  My  parents  were  peasants.  Jn  my 
childhood  I  had  some  religious  impressions.  When  about  fourteen  years  of 
age  I  was  near  being  drowned,  but  by  almost  a  miracle  was  saved  from 
death.  I  then  felt  great  gratitude  to  God  for  his  kindness  and  mercy.  In 
consequence  of  this  event,  I  became  anxious  for  the  salvation  of  my  soul, 
and  began  to  read  the  Bible,  with  other  religious  books,  among  which  was 
';  The  Holy  War"  of  John  Bunyan.  I  was  at  this  time  a  shopkeeper's  clerk 
in  Hudiksvall ;  but  in  consequence  of  my  religious  impressions.  I  felt  an 


12 


REV.   A.   WIBEKG's  ADDRESS. 


irresistible  desire  to  study,  and  to  be  useful,  if  God  would,  in  his  kingdom. 
I  placed  myself  under  the  guidance  of  a  pious  clergyman  in  the  country,  in 
whose  house  I  remained  about  a  year.  During  this  time  I  had  many  good 
impressions  of  divine  grace.  But  for  the  furtherance  of  my  studies,  I  left 
this  pious  clergyman,  and  was  under  the  teaching  of  a  more  learned  but 
ungodly  man.  Thus  thrown  under  worldly  influences.  I  soon  lost  all  my 
seriousness.  After  this  I  became  a  scholar  in  a  learned  institution,  where  I 
staid  two  years.  During  this  time,  between  1833  aud  1835,  I  was  again 
awakened  to  anxious  concern  for  my  salvation  ;  but  having  fallen  into  sin, 
1  despaired  of  the  grace  of  God.  and  again  became  careless.  In  the  year 
1835  I  entered  the  University  of  L'psala.  and  for  my  subsistence  engaged  as 
a  teacher  in  the  families  of  several  of  the  gentry.  1  now  studied  till  the 
year  1840  for  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  Partly  from  the  nature  of  my 
studies,  and  partly  from  conversation  with  infidel  and  ungodly  men,  I 
became  an  infidel.  1  might  say  much  about  my  miserable  condition  during 
this  time,  but  think  it  best  to  draw  a  veil  over  that  which  it  is  so  painful  to 
remember.  This  I  can  say  from  my  own  sad  experience,  that  it  is  a  most 
unhappy  thing  to  be  an  infidel.  But  the  Good  Shepherd,  notwithstanding 
all  this,  ceased  not  to  seek  his  lost  sheep.  Through  the  summer  of  1849, 
he  suffered  me  to  have  no  rest  in  my  spirit.  One  night  I  awoke  with  a 
fearful  sense  of  the  terrors  of  annihilation.  I  rose  from  my  bed.  clasped 
mv  hands,  and  cried  out,  K  0  God!  why  hast  thou  created  me  to  die  as  a 
beast  ?" 

In  the  autumn  of  this  same  year  it  happened  that  a  pious  friend  came 
came  into  my  room,  where  1  was  indulging  in  a  light,  trilling  disposition  of 
mind,  and  said  to  me,  among  other  things,  "  It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  living  God."  At  these  words  I  pasued :  they  were  as 
darts  in  my  heart.  I  began  to  think  :  "  If  the  Bible  is  really  the  Word  of  the 
living  God  ;  if  there  is  really  after  this  life  a  state  of  rewards  and  punishments 
which  shall  endure  for  ever,  how  dreadful  would  it  be  for  thyself  to  have  the 
Word  of  God  against  thee !  Thou  hast  not  been  on  the  other  side  of  the 
grave,  and  it  may  be  possible  that  the  Bible  is  right  and  thou  art  wrong." 
I  now  determined  to  take  the  safe  side  of  this  great  question,  and  to  be  a 
believer  in  the  Word  of  God.  I  fell  on  my  knees,  and  with  tears  sought 
the  "  living  God."  From  this  hour  the  Lord  has  continued  to  carry  on  his 
good  work  in  my  soul.  But  it  was  long  before  I  came  to  the  knowledge  of 
salvation  through  Christ.  I  was  under  Moses,  seeking  justification  by  the 
works  of  the  law,  until  the  year  1842.  In  this  time  I  read  many  German 
books  of  a  mystical  and  theosophical  character,  frhm  which  I  imbibed  the 
notion  that  I  must  become  perfect,  principally  through  means  of  prayer. 
I  consequently  became  diligent  in  prayer,  and  could  continue  in  praying 
whole  hours.  But  instead  of  attaining  to  my  object,  I  became  more  and 
more  acquainted  with  the  power  of  sin  through  the  corruption  of  my 
own  heart.  At  last  I  was  quite  near  to  a  state  of  despair.  I  saw 
nothing  but  death  and  hell  before  me.  I  had  "  the  sentence  of  death 
in  myself."  But  God,  even  Jesus,  who  raises  the  dead,  ''passed  by 
me,  and  said  unto  me,  when  I  was  in  my  blood,  Live  ?"  By  means  of  a 
German  writer,  John  Arndt,  and  through  the  riches  of  divine  grace,  I  was 
enabled  to  look  upon  Him  who  was  lifted  up  on  the  cross  for  my  sins,  as  the 
Israelites  looked  upon  the  brazen  serpent  in  the  wildnerness,  and  I  was 
healed.  I  believed  on  him  who  justifieth  the  ungodly,  and  being  justified 
by  faith,  I  had  peace  with  Ged  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

In  the  spring  of  1843  I  became  a  priest  in  the  State  Church  of  Sweden. 
This  Church,  like  the  Methodists,  sends  her  ministers  from  one  place  to 


N.  Y.  BAPTIST  FEMALE  BETHEL  UNION.  13 

nnother ;  consequently,  I  was  sent  to  several  stations  as  helper  to  aged 
pastors.  At  all  these  places  the  Lord  was  pleased  evidently  to  bless  my 
labors  in  his  vineyard,  and  I  was  permitted  to  see  many  fruits  of  the 
preached  Word.  But  I  soon  began  to  have  scruples  about  admitting  un- 
godly men  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  as  is  the  custom  in  Sweden.  I  was 
persuaded  from  the  Scriptures  that  this  practice  was  not  right.  My  health 
was  at  this  time  much  impaired  from  too  great  exertion  of  my  strength  in 
preaching,  and  as  I  did  not  know  what  steps  to  pursue  in  regard  to  my 
scruples,  I  asked  and  obtained  from  the  Consistory  of  Upsala,  permission  to 
suspend  my  labors  for  a  season.  For  about  two  years  I  was  now  at  leisure, 
and  occupied  myself  in  translating  and  publishing  Some  works  of  Dr. 
Luther.    I  also  edited  a  newspaper  called  ;;  The  Evangelist." 

In  the  spring  of  1851,  a  friend  of  mine  in  Stockholm,  where  I  then  resided 
was  going  to  Hamburg  on  business,  and  requested  me  to  accompany  him  as 
an  interpreter  of  the  German  language.  In  Hamburg  I  visited  the  Baptist 
church,  and  made  acquaintance  with  the  beloved  brethren  Oncken  and 
Kobner  ;  also  a  missionary  by  the  name  of  Elvin.  The  constitution,  disci- 
pline, and  the  spiritual  and  pious  life  which  I  discovered  in  this  church,  very 
much  pleased  me.  I  thought  I  saw  in  them  the  true  apostolic  order.  To 
their  doctrine  of  baptism,  however,  I  could  not  assent,  as  I  had  been  trained 
up  in  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  was  much  attached  to  the  writings  and 
system  of  Luther.  I  had  warm  disputes  with  the  above-named  brethren, 
and  left  them  without  being  convinced  of  the  errors  of  infant  sprinkling. 
But  at  my  departure  from  Hamburg,  brother  Kobner  presented  me  with 
several  tracts  about  baptism,  among  which  was  a  German  translation  of 
Pengilly's  tract  on  this  subject.  This  treatise  I  read  on  my  return  to 
Sweden,  and  when  I  saw  the  exposition  which  he  gives  of  1  Cor.  vii.  14,  my 
former  confidence  in  infant  baptism  began  to  be  shaken.  From  this  passage 
I  saw  that  the  apostle  could  have  known  nothing  of  this  practice,  or  he- 
would  not  speak  of  the  children  of  the  Corinthian  church  being  unholy, 
because  baptism  would  have  made  them  holy  without  their  being  made  holy 
or  legitimate  by  the  believing  parent.  I  now  began  with  eagerness  to  read 
Hinton's  "  History  of  Baptism,"  but  it  was  long  before  I  could  be  fully 
persuaded. 

I  must  here  state,  that  before  my  visit  to  Hamburg,  a  number  of  pious 
Christians  in  the  north  of  Sweden  had  left  the  State  Church  from  consci- 
entious scruples  about  its  doctrines  and  ministers.  As  these  Christians 
knew  my  sentiments  in  regard  to  the  errors  of  the  State  Church,  and  put 
confidence  in  me  as  an  evangelical  and  orthodox  minister  of  the  gospel,  they 
applied  to  me  to  separate  myself  from  that  Church  and  become  their  pastor; 
I  was  just  about  to  comply  with  the  request,  when  I  went  to  Hamburg  and 
became  acquainted  with  the  Baptists,  as  I  have  before  related.  But  now, 
as  I  had  begun  to  be  a  Baptist,  I  was  obliged  to  send  them  word  I  could 
not  sprinkle  their  children,  because  I  thought  it  not  right.  My  friends 
were  much  shocked  and  amazed  at  this.  They  knew  not  what  to  make  of 
the  matter,  but  wrote  to  a  clergyman  in  Finland,  a  man  of  learningand  high 
esteem  among  them.  This  good  friend  satisfied  them  by  describing  "  the 
Anabaptists"  in  a  manner  which  brought  to  remembrance  the  cruel  denun- 
ciation of  Luther:  "  They  are  not  only  devils,  but  devils  possessed  of  worse 
devils."  Thus  I  was  made  to  appear  in  the  eyes  of  my  former  friends  a 
noxious  heretic  and  an  apostate,  not  only  from  the  Lutheran  faith,  but  from 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  What  was  I  to  do  ?  I  wrote  to  them  letter  after 
letter,  but  without  seeming  effect,  because  they  also  received,  on  the  other 
hand  fresh  supplies  of  Lutheranism  from  their  learned  friend  in  Finland, 


14 


REV.  A.  WIBKRo's  A0DHKSS. 


At  last  1  promised  them  I  woHld  write  a  book  about  the  matter,  in  reply  to 
the  false  statements  and  calumnies  of  this  man ;  but  I  was  in  great  straits 
about  it,  being  but  partly  persuaded  in  my  own  mind.  However,  as  I  be- 
lieved the  truth  to  lie  on  the  side  of  the  Baptists.  I  be^an  to  write  this 
book,  confiding  in  Him  who  lias  said,  "If  any  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of 
God."  I  needed  help  upon  many  things,  and  wrote  to  brother  Nelson, 
telling  him  I  had  become  a  Baptist  in  sentiment,  but  wished  to  read  more 
works  upon  the  subject.  He  sent  me  Dr.  Carson's  valuable  work,  u  Baptism 
in  its  Mode  and  Subjects,"  and  also  several  tracts.  Having  studied  these, 
and  compared  the  arguments  and  statements  with  the  Greek  New  Testa- 
ment, I  became  fully  satisfied  upon  all  matters  belonging  to  the  Baptist 
question.  My  own  work  upon  the  subject  was  completed  before  I  left  my 
native  country  for  America,  and  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  printer. 

Soon  after  my  return  from  Hamburg,  1  became  dangerously  ill,  and  re- 
mained so  for  about  three  months.  It  pleased  the  Lord,  however,  to  call 
me  again  from  the  gates  of  the  grave.  As  soon  as  I  had  recovered  so  much 
strength  that  1  was  able  to  write,  1  sent  to  the  Consistory  and  requested  *ny 
dismission  from  the  State  Church.  Beforo  this  tribunal  I  had  been  twice 
summoned  to  answer  to  the  charge  of  adhering  to  those  Christians  in  the 
North  who  had  separated  themselves  from  the  Church.  The  first  time  I 
had  long  disputes  with  several  members  of  the  Consistory  about  Church 
discip  ine  and  order.  They  contended  that  I  ou<iht  to  be  submissive  to  the 
Church,  and  comply  with  all  its  statutes;  for  it  was  written,  "Submit  thy- 
self to  every  ordinance  of  man,  for  the  Lord's  sake."  To  this  1  replied, 
that  in  religious  matters  we  should  obey  Cod  rather  than  man.  After  this 
I  was  suspended  for  three  months  for  not  being  in  subjection  to  the  Church. 
The  second  time,  my  accuser,  a  dean  in  the  town  of  Hudiksvall,  urged  that 
1  should  be  banished,  because  I  had  written  an  apology  for  the  brethren  in 
the  North  who  were  under  persecution  for  their  separation  from  the 
Church.  I  appealed  from  the  ecclesiastical  tribunal  to  the  secular  power ; 
but  in  the  meantime  my  accuser  and  persecutor,  a  man  of  age  and  learning, 
put  an  end  to  his  own  life  by  hanging  himself,  and  1  was  thus  freed  from 
further  persecution. 

While  slowly  recovering  my  strength,  I  was  now  occupied  partly  in 
writing  my  book,  and  partly  in  holding  meetings  to  preach  Jesus  Christ. 
Even  this  preaching  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  bless  with  success,  so  that 
several  souls  wore  awakened  and  comforted  through  faith  in  the  redemption 
which  is  in  Christ.  These  meetings,  however,  the  government  sought  to 
prevent.  The  Grand  Governor  or  Lord  Mayor  of  Stockholm  twice  forbade 
us  to  assemble  :  but  a  newspaper,  the  most  circulated  and  influential  in  the 
country,  advocated  our  cause,  and  we  were  permitted  to  assemble.  As  my 
health  was  still  infirm,  the  physicians  advised  a  sea  voyage  as  the  best  means 
to  restore  my  strength.  Meanwhile  the  Lord  had  so  wonderfully  ordered 
things,  that  several  of  my  friends  in  Stockholm  had  built  a  vessel  for  trans- 
porting emigrants  to  this  highly  favored  country.  Hearing  that  these 
friends  intended  to  give  a  few  emigrants  a  free  passage  to  America,  I  told 
them  about  the  advice  of  my  physicians,  and  my  wish,  if  it  could  be  the  will 
of  God,  to  make  a  voyage,  partly  for  my  health  and  partly  to  visit  the 
United  States.  My  application  met  with  no  hindrance.  This  was  more 
than  I  ever  had  hoped  for.  It  was  indeed  my  strong  desire  to  go  anywhere 
to  be  baptized  ;  but  where  should  I  go,  as  I  was  without  means? 

I  left  Stockholm  on  the  17th  of  July,  on  my  36th  birthday.  I  hoped  in 
this  country  to  have  my  desire  to  be  baptized  j  and  here  also  the  Lord  did 
more  for  me  tjian  I  had  hoped  for.    The  vessel  was  obliged  to  stay  at 


N.  Y.  BAPTIST  FEMALE  BETHEL  UNION. 


15 


Copenhagen  two  days,  waiting  for  wind.  Meanwhile  the  captain  and  myself 
went  on  shore.  While  on  my  way  from  the  vessel  to  Copenhagen,  several 
passages  of  Scripture  ran  through  my  mind,  reminding  me  of  my  duty  to 
obey  the  commandment  of  our  Lord  without  delay.  Therefore,  when  I 
came  to  Copenhagen,  I  told  brother  Nelson  about  the  thoughts  that  had 
arisen  on  my  mind.  We  spoke  a  little  about  the  matter,  and  it  was  agreed 
that,  if  the  Captain  would  stay  over  night  in  the  city,  my  request  should  be 
gratified.  I  was  accordingly  immersed  in  the  Baltic  Sea  the  23d  of  July 
last,  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  in  presence  of  many  brethren  and  sis- 
ters. This  hour  was  the  most  solemn  in  my  life  ;  I  went  on  my  way 
"  rejoicing,"  and  shall  praise  the  Lord  for  ever  that  his  grace  was  thus 
granted  to  lead  me  to  follow  the  footsteps  of  my  dear  Saviour  in  the  bap- 
tismal waters.  From  Copenhagen  we  had  a  happy  and  very  pleasant 
voyage,  and  I  arrived  in  New  York  the  18th  September  last.  The  Lord  be 
greatly  praised  for  all  his  mercy  and  goodness  to  his  feeble  and  most  un- 
worthy worm  ! 

At  last,  it  may  be  added  that  many  of  my  brethren  in  Stockholm  are 
inclined  to  embrace  the  true  doctrine  of  baptism,  but  are  yet  in  want  of 
sufficient  scriptural  knowledge  to  be  fully  persuaded.  I  hope,  neveitheless, 
that  when  they  shall  see  the  truth  plainly  laid  before  them,  they  will  be 
fully  satisfied,  and  ready  to  receive  the  holy  ordinance  of  baptism  whenever 
a  Baptist  minister  shall  be  sent  to  them.  Yea,  one  of  my  dear  brethren  in 
Stockholm,  a  tailor  by  trade,  has  a  very  strong  desire  to  be  baptized.  And 
even  in  the  country  there  are  several  friends  who  long  for  light  on  this  sub- 
ject, and  for  freedom  from  the  yoke  of  State  Church.  May  the  Lord  let 
his  true  light  shine  over  my  benighted  native  country  !  Oh  that  the  salva- 
tion of  Israel  were  come  out  of  Zion  ! 

The  choir  then  sang  the  following 

HYMN  COMPOSED  FOR  THE  OCCASION  BY  MRS.  C.  H.  PUTNAM. 

Music—"  Daughter  of  Zion." 

Awake  thee,  0  Zion  !  arouse  from  thy  sadness, 

And  put  on  thy  garments  of  beauty  and  strength ; 
The  jubilee  trumpet  now  calis  thee  to  gladness, 

And  sounds  through  thy  land  in  its  breadth  and  its  length. 

Awake  thee  0  Zion  !  &c. 

Behold  how  thy  sons  and  thy  daughters  are  hast'ning 
From  east  and  from  west,  and  from  north  and  from  south, 

To  be  nursed  at  thy  side,  with  joy  everlasting, 
To  gaze  on  thy  beauty,  and  learn  at  thy  mouth. 

Awake  thee  0  Zion  !  &c. 

Lift  up  thine  eyes  to  the  wilderness  places, 

And  see  how  they  blossom,  and  bud  as  the  rose; 
In  the  verdure  of  Eden  the  desert  rejoices, 

The  olive-tree  springs,  and  the  myrtle-tree  grows. 

Awake  thee  0  Zion  !  &c. 

In  lands  of  the  north,  and  the  isles  of  the  ocean, 
Where  darkness  and  death  have  so  long  held  their  sway, 

The  light  has  sprung  up,  and  men  are  in  motion 
To  cast  off  their  bondage  and  watch  for  the  day. 

Awake  thee  0  Zion !  &c. 

Then  wake  thee  0  Zion !  and  clothed  with  salvation. 

Thy  beacon-light  shining  afar  through  the  gloom, 
Shall  guide  to  the  shore  of  our  own  favor'd  nation 

The  feet  of  the  stranger,  where  "  yet  there  is  room." 

Then  wake  thee  0  Zion!  &c. 


The  exercises  of  the  evening  were  closed  by  some  very  kind  remarks  from 


16 


ELEVENTH   ANNUAL  REPORT. 


Uev.  Mr.  Magoon,  in  relation  to  the  suggestion  made  in  the  Report,  "  that 
the  churches  should  appropriate  a  part  of  their  missionary  fund  to  aid  the 
joint  operations  of  the  Bethel  Union  and  the  Mariners'  Church,  for  the 
ensuing  year."  He  said  he  would  himself  cheerfully  call  upon  every  mem- 
ber of  his  own  church,  rather  than  the  money  should  not  be  collected,  and, 
that  he  most  heartily  concurred  in  the  ladies  making  whatever  appropria- 
tion to  this  cause  they  saw  fit :  he  would  venture  to  say  it  would  not  be 
less  than  one  hundred  dollars. 

We  would  add,  that  brother  Wlberg  has  now  become  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Mariners'  Church  in  Cherry-street,  and  is  consequently  identified 
with  the  interests  of  the  Female  Bethel  Union,  which  is  pledged  to  sustain 
that  church  in  its  missionary  operations. 

After  reading  the  brief  sketch  which  this  brother  has  here  given  of  his 
religious  experience,  together  with  the  warm  appeal  of  brother  F.  0.  Nelson 
to  the  sympathies  of  American  Christians  in  his  behalf ;  we  cannot  for  an 
instant  doubt  that,  every  Baptist  church  in  our  city,  as  well  as  the  heart  of 
every  individual  member,  will  be  ready  to  respond  to  this  appeal,  as  to  the 
voice  of  God  himself;  and  that  prompt  measures  will  be  adopted  for  send- 
ing brother  Wiberg  out  to  Sweden,  in  the  spring,  as  a  Baptist  missionary. 
Till  that  time  he  wishes  to  be  employed  as  a  Colporteur  in  connection  with 
the  Mariners'  church.  He  has  already  commenced  to  hold  meetings  at  the 
chapel  in  Cherry-street,  on  every  "Wednesday  evening,  where  Swedes.  Nor- 
wegians and  Danes,  from  every  part  of  the  city,  resort  to  hear  the  words  of 
life  in  their  own  tongue. 


LIST  OF  LIFE  MEMBERS. 


Mr3.  Isaac  T.  Smith, 

Mrs>  Ellis, 

Mrs.  Callom, 

Mrs.  Hemmenway, 

Mrs.  Charles  S  Stewart, 

Mis.  S.  H.  Cone, 

Mrs.  Dr.  Devan, 

Mrs.  Withington, 

Mrs.  Steward, 

Mrs.  Benedict, 

Mrs.  Bellamy, 

Mrs.  Evarts, 

Mrs.  C  H.  Putnam, 

Mrs.  James  Lee, 

Mrs.  Zebedee  Ring, 

Mrs.  George  W.  Bliss, 

Mrs.  Jordan, 

Mrs.  Daniel  Lewis, 

Miss  Charlotte  Lewis, 

Mrs.  Brouner, 

Mrs.  Jas.  H  Townsend, 

Mrs.  Alfred  Decker, 

Mrs.  D.  Dunbar, 


Mrs.  0-  S.  Tripp, 

Mrs.  Dr.  Dowling, 

Mrs.  Brush, 

Mrs.  Sarles, 

Mrs.  Thos.  B.  Smith, 

Mrs.  Samuel  R.  Kelly, 

Mrs.  E.  L.  Magoon, 

Mrs.  Dr.  Welch, 

Mrs.E.  E.  L.  Taylor, 

Mrs.  Dr.  Hodge 

Miss  Julia  Avery, 

Miss  Eliza  B.  Stewart, 

Mrs.  Wells, 

Mrs.  L.  Wheeler, 

Mrs.  A.  Corning, 

Miss  N.  Stone, 

Mrs.  Schroeder, 

Mrs.  S.  S.  Pollard, 

Mrs.  George  Gault, 

Mrs.  Litchfield, 

Miss  Hannah  E.  WatkinSj 

Mrs.  Capt.  Eveleigh, 

Mrs.  Chas.  Olmsted, 


Mrs.  Chas.  Keily, 
Mrs.  Elenora  Forrester, 
Mrs.  John  B.  Durbrow, 
Mrs.  Caroline  0.  Hiscox, 
Miss  Priscilla  Adams, 
Mrs.  Samuel  Raynor, 
Miss  C.  M.  Jacobs, 
Madame  Kossuth, 
Mad'elle  Jenny  Lind, 
Mrs.  John  Barter, 
Mrs.  Peder  Sather, 
Miss  Abigail  Cox, 
Mrs.  Joseph  T.  Sanger, 
Mrs.  Jacob  A.  Cobb, 
Mrs.  Simeon  Pepper, 
Mrs.  E.  R  Yale, 
Mrs.  Theodore  Clark, 
Mrs.  Adam  T.  Tiebout, 
Mrs.  Eliza  Baldwin, 
Mrs.  Susanna  Ulvatt, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Clark, 
Miss  Eliza  A.  Tousley, 
Mrs.  Jane  D.  Marks. 


I 


